Your Pocono Mountains Guide to Fall Fun: Part Two

Clear waterways, long country roads and charming, historic towns make up the Pocono Mountains’ central color zone, where fall foliage is at 25-30% of peak color this week. According to the Fall Foliage Forecast, this color zone, which encompasses southern Pike and Wayne and northern Monroe Counties, will reach its peak the week of October 13-19, 2016.

Spend a weekend on the water with Kittatinny Canoes, Inc. Take leaf peeping to the next level with two days of fall fun on the Delaware River. Kittatinny Canoes offers a variety of outdoor adventures and seven riverfront locations. We suggest you:

Start with a river trip. Canoe, kayak or raft down the Delaware for unmatched views of the autumn leaves.

Fly through the trees on a mountain zip line. Ride solo or race a friend on Kittatinny’s 3,000’ zip line. You’ll reach speeds up to 60 MPH!

Rough it by the river. Kittatinny’s riverfront campsites reveal breathtaking views of the fall foliage. Enjoy dinner and s’mores under the stars and then rest up for another day of autumn adventures.

Take a walk in the woods. Kittatinny’s River Beach campsites are conveniently located near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The national park is packed with hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and scenic vistas.

LEISURE

Begin with a bike ride on a riverside trail. Spanning over 30 miles through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the McDade Recreational Trail is a packed gravel pathway perfect for leisurely hiking and biking. The trail runs along the Delaware, passing farm fields and historic buildings from Shawnee on Delaware to Milford.

Enjoy an afternoon on the town. Downtown Milford stands out against a background of autumn leaves. Take a walking tour through town and stop to shop along the way.

Dine in style. Wrap upyour walking tour at the Hotel Fauchere. Its Bar Louis is a chic spot for dinner and drinks.

Unwind in a historic home. Just steps from the shops and restaurants downtown, Milford’s Harrington House Bed & Breakfast is an 1860s charmer. It even has a wrap-around porch!

Play a round on a pristine golf course. After a restful night’s sleep in town, get an early start on the golf course. The Country Club at Woodloch Springs is surrounded by tall trees—ideal for an autumn outing. You can view the action at Woodloch Springs in real time through its Pocono Mountains live camera.

CULTURE

Celebrate the arts. Milford’s Black Bear Film Festival is set for October 14-16, 2016—peak fall foliage weekend! Expect workshops, film screenings, panel discussions and more at the 17th annual celebration.

Fall for fine dining. Treat yourself to a memorable meal at The Delmonico Room at the Hotel Fauchere. Dinner is served every Friday through Sunday beginning at 5 p.m.

Take a peek into the past. Milford is home to the Columns Museum and the Grey Towers National Historic Landmark. The Columns Museum houses artifacts and archives curated by the Pike County Historical Society. Grey Towers is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the US Forest Service. Hourly tours of the mansion and grounds run daily through October 31, 2016.

FAMILY FUN

Spend the weekend at a world-class resort. Year after year, Woodloch Resort is recognized for its family-friendly amenities. Stay and see what the all-inclusive resort has to offer! Experience nightly entertainment, outdoor adventures, kid-centric activities and more fun amid the foliage. Stay during Spooktacular Halloween Weekends (October 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30, 2016 or November 4-6, 2016) and you’ll be treated to seasonal activities such as pumpkin painting, costume parties and haunted hayrides on the nature trail. Find the full hayride schedule here.

Hit the trails on horseback. Milford’s Malibu Dude Ranch boasts 800 acres of scenic wooded trails. Children eight and older can head out on horseback. Pony rides are available for kids ages three to seven.

Walk to a waterfall. The central color zone is home to many of the Pocono Mountains’ most iconic waterfalls. The trails to Dingmans Falls and Raymondskill Falls are relatively easy and appropriate for children. Bushkill Falls is another top spot for waterfall viewing. Take a look through the Fall Foliage Map to find more waterfalls in the central color zone.

Author: Aimee Kohler

Aimee Kohler is the content coordinator for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. During the week, she writes about adventures in the Pocono Mountains. On weekends, she seeks them out. Find Aimee out on the trails or contact her at akohler@poconos.org.